The Humane Society has clarified its position on the seal hunt, making sure to note their support of subsistence sealing, used by many Inuit for food and clothing, vs. commercial sealing. “Unlike Inuit sealers, commercial sealers almost exclusively target baby seals who are less than three months old. Inuit hunters kill seals primarily for meat,” said Humane Society spokeswoman Rebecca Aldworth.

This amendment followed a massive outcry by Inuit people after Ellen DeGeneres donated $1.5 million raised from the star-studded selfie she took at the Oscars to the Humane Society of the United States. The TV host has an official page on her show’s site, calling seal hunting “one of the most atrocious and inhumane acts against animals allowed by any government,” with no specifics as to which seal hunt is being referenced.